Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

[spazz70]

I have a Century 19'.... Mercruiser I/O...below the outdrive there is a threaded hole into the boat hull...what is the purpose of this hole...bilge???...storage???...does it get plugged during operation...this is my first I/O and used to drain plugs in other boats...basically in same position...thanks for the help

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Wow!!!!!!! Are you serious? Or maybe I have never herd it asked that way. Screw the pipe plug in there before you launch or better yet and even better advise take a safe boaters course before you get that thing wet. Good luck and remember an open hole in any boat is never a good thing!!!!!!

 

[2ndtry]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

...this is my first I/O and used to drain plugs in other boats...basically in same position

This one too! Its a drain hole, plug it!

 

[Maclin]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Storage? No, but water will get stored for you in the bilge accidentally if you do not plug it up before you hit the water! Do you have a/the plug for it?

Also, is there just one? Some boats have livewells with drains on the transom, but those are not usually at the lowest point like the one you are describing.

Threaded ones like yours are called garboard plugs.

 

[V153]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Please be more specific. Does water come in or go out of said hole?

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Please be more specific. Does water come in or go out of said hole?

Yes!

 

[jimh1626]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Please be more specific. Does water come in or go out of said hole?

Is this April 1st??? This has to be a joke. If not please don't launch if I am in the water.

 

[Knightrider2]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Unreal!!!!! Are you kidding me?

 

[not enuf toys]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

It's to help drain oil during an oil change on an I/O......Hehe

 

[zagger]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

...go ahead and crush me..

I think you have been crushed

 

[kirmy22]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Hey spazz, its not a stupid question , you asked a question so you wouldnt make a mistake and sink your boat, and what you got were a bunch of sarcastic answers. I thought that was what this forum was for. It must be nice to be a boat God and know everything and and never make a mistake or have to ask a question.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Saw your boat in another post - you made a killer buy. Good job!

Yep, it's your drain hole. More importantly, it's the hole in which to put something to stop water from comin' in I've not heard of a threaded one before, though. If you've got the plug for it, check it against what you see available at a Wally World or your local marine store (just to make sure you can get replacements). You'll want to have a spare with you at all times. I've had mine (not threaded) pop out once before.

You said it's your first I/O, but it didn't sound like it's your first boat. If you're not familiar with running a boat this size, it might well be helpful to get someone to help you get oriented to it. I just made the jump from outboards to I/O's last year and have learned a bunch of lessons. Ultimately, I like this new (to me) boat more - but there have been plenty of lessons to learn.

Make sure you know what you're doing before you get out on the water, it can be costly and dangerous if you don't. But it's not rocket science either - you're gonna' have a blast.

 

[zagger]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

It must be nice to be a boat God and know everything and and never make a mistake or have to ask a question.

Not Gods but most have slept in Holiday Inn last night. I think the question was answered in thread #3. Good way to verify is to shine a light through it when it gets darker. Most I/O's will have a brass threaded flange bolted with three screws to the transom for the drain plug to screw into. Wind some Teflon tape on the plug so it will go in easer, seal better and removing will be a snap. So plug it, get it wet and have tons of fun with it.

 

[V153]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Try not to be too judgemental, or play God. But someone who needs to ask if the hole in the bottom of the boat under the motor/outdrive should have a plug in it? Oughta at least take a boating safety course before attempting to launch.

 

[oops!]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

i agree with the safe boating course.....

BUT there is no such thing as a stupid question here at iboats....

im glad you asked it....

it is the spirit of iboats to help with any and all questions asked.

now go sign your self up with power squadren and help us answer some questions here bud

cheers
oops

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Uh, I'd have to 2nd or 3rd(or whatever # were at) on the boaters safety course. I'll tell you what, I still sometimes almost forget to screw the plug in. Could be I'm just in a hurry to get out of the way of others (don't want to be "That Guy"), or that maybe it's because I always launch by myself & have to do everything, wish the wife liked to go more often. I've never forgotten it, just close calls. As far as some being sarcastic, it was too easy to pass up for some.

 

[HCMQA]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

You screw in the plug BEFORE you put the boat in the water. It is a standard size and you can get these plugs almost anywhere. Put one in your truck with a wrench that fits it. Put one in your boat with a wrench that fits it. And of course have the one that you actually put in the boat's drain hole!

Now when you take the boat out of the water remove the plug and leave it out so any residual bilge water that your bilge pump missed will drain out while you tow her home.

Don't be afraid we are here to help and any and all questions are welcome/needed.

 

[BF]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

part of it might be the first look at a threaded drain hole instead of the smooth one common on other types of boats. It's threaded b/c the drain plug should be a solid brass plug with a square part on the outside. You put thread it in from the outside and snug it down (gently) with a wrench. Don't reef it tight b/c you'll just loosen the brass treaded piece and make it leak. Barely over finger tight.

I've you've been using a rubber plug, look around the boat... in the cup holders or glove box... you'll probably find the real plug. If it's lost you can find a replacement at most boat places... ask for threaded brass bilge plug. Keep a little wrench handy in the boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Try not to be too judgemental, or play God. But someone who needs to ask if the hole in the bottom of the boat under the motor/outdrive should have a plug in it? Oughta at least take a boating safety course before attempting to launch.

Can you point to the part of the boater safety course that deals with drain plugs?

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: Dumb question...go ahead and crush me..

Can you point to the part of the boater safety course that deals with drain plugs?

X2. I just finished a boaters safety course last week (been boating for 35 years) and I saw no reference to a drain plug.

I'll be honest with ya. Up until about 5 years ago, I never saw the threaded drain plug either. All the boats I've owned and used had the older style plug and I had to ask the same question the OP did in the opening thread. I'm glad I didn't come on this board back then to ask the same question the OP did or else I too would have been attacked by you judgmental morons.

Hope you didn't run him off.